Expect plenty of thank yous in Emmitt’s speech tonight

CLEVELAND – It sounds like Cowboys great Emmitt Smith’s speech tonight at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be one long thank you to special people in his life.

“The overall theme for me and the baseline for this entire weekend is not necessarily about me,” Smith told reporters Friday in Canton, Ohio. “It’s about the people truly that have helped shape the foundation which I stand upon. That stretches back to Pensacola itself, the coaches I had in Pop Warner all the way through high school, college as well as the National Football League.”

“Unfortunately from a time standpoint, I only have so much time. I’ve got to pick and choose which ones I need to talk about.”

Last month in a conference call, Smith said, “I look at this hall of fame induction as an opportunity. It’s not about me. It’s about the people that have helped influence me and shape my life in some form, and this is a big, big thank you opportunity.”